Hamburg School Board OKs Student Laptop Insurance

The Hamburg School Board dedicated funds Monday night to a program that connects every high school student to his or her own laptop.

The board approved a $52,762 contract with Allentown-based Integra Business Center that acts as insurance for accidents that may occur to the 851 laptops in the one-to-one laptop program, said Than Wright, supervisor of information technology.

Under the program, each student in grades nine through 12 gets a computer.

“It works out pretty well,” Wright said. “We do a little (hardware) warranty work ourselves, but we can’t do everything. And with Integra, it’s like having another person here to help.”

The cost for the contract comes out to $62 per laptop, but covers any physical damage to the computers, he said.

Business Manager Michele Zimmerman said the district has used Integra for laptop services for the past two years.

In other business, district principals gave positive reviews of the students’ first day back to classes after the summer vacation.

Dr. Shawn Gravish, one of the high school principals, said Monday went smoothly.

“I’d like to thank the staff, custodians, principals, the teachers, students and parents,” Gravish said. “We got off to a great start on our first day.”

Dr. Richard J. Mextorf, superintendent, was also pleased with how the day unfolded.

“I never cease to be amazed that in an incredibility complex organization like this one, we are up and running like we never left,” he said.

Also Monday, the board reviewed and approved more than 50 policies that covered a variety of topics, including substitute teachers, sick leave, employee evaluations and educator misconduct.

Solicitor Alexa S. Antanavage said the board reviews the policies annually to ensure that they are in line with the law and address the needs of the district. She said there were no significant changes in the policies that were approved this year.